Foreign home-delivery transport system and method

ABSTRACT

An overseas delivery and transport system includes a server, an overseas main terminal, and a domestic main terminal. The overseas main terminal reads identification information, receives predetermined information of a consignee related to the identification information from the servers, allocates the predetermined information to common label data, and sends the common label data to the server. The domestic main terminal reads an identification code written on an air waybill, and allocates a sign indicating an additional tax to the common label data. The server stores the consignee information written in the domestic language corresponding to the identification information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an overseas delivery and transportsystem so that when a package is sent from a foreign country to a homecountry or from a home country to a foreign country, the package can besent to a consignee in a short time.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a delivery and transport management system in which packagesof individual clients at overseas locations (also referred to asconsignors) are transported to Japan is as follows. Namely, as shown inFIG. 1, for example, a consignor in Hawaii enters predetermined datainto a foreign-to-home air waybill Ai and attaches the air waybill to apackage 1. Then, the consignor calls a home delivery service company XX.The company transports the package 1 by an express vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the foreign-to-home air waybill Ai is made of aplurality of sheets and includes a blank section for entering theclient's name, address and telephone number, a blank section forpassport number, a blank space for the receiver's address, a blank spacefor a reference number and a barcode (reference number). Titles for suchblank spaces are written in the respective blank spaces in Japanese andEnglish (Roman characters).

The predetermined data is entered in the blank spaces in theforeign-to-home air waybill Ai. Then, the air waybill is attached to thepackage 1 and the package is collected at a package collecting base at aregion of Hawaii by an express vehicle. Thereafter, the package 1 iscarried by another express vehicle to an overseas business base.

As shown in FIG. 1, the overseas business base is provided with apersonal computer 2 (which is simply referred to as a PC 2 hereinafter),a label printer 3 and a printer 4 for entry papers on documents. Thesecomponents are connected by a LAN. A barcode scanner 5 is connected tothe PC 2.

When the package 1 is arrives at the overseas business base, an operatorof XX home delivery service displays an input format for a label Bi on ascreen of a display device and reads/scans a barcode on a copy Aip ofthe foreign-to-home air waybill Ai attached to the package 1, by thebarcode scanner 5.

A reference number (also referred to as an air waybill number) of thebarcode is displayed on a predetermined blank space in the input formatfor the label Bi on the screen. The operator inputs the receiver's(consignee's) address and telephone number and consignor's address andtelephone number in English on the basis of the copy Aip of theforeign-to-home air waybill Ai. Then, by using the label printer 3, alabel Bi as shown in FIG. 3 is printed and attached to the package 1. Asshown in FIG. 3, a plurality of labels with MASTER-AMB and HOUSE-AMBbeing written therein are prepared as the label Bi.

A registered customs specialist at the overseas business base of the XXhome delivery service displays a format for entry papers or documentsfor departure or shipment of the package on a screen, reads the copy Aipof the foreign-to-home air waybill Ai and inputs information necessaryfor shipment (including product's name, product type, price, number ofpackages, consignee's address, consignee's telephone number etc.) inEnglish. By using the printer 4 for entry papers or documents, the entrypapers Di for shipment (written in English) can be provided. The papersare sent to the customs office in Hawaii.

The package 1 with the foreign-to-home air waybill Ai and the label Bibeing attached thereto is carried to an airplane and loaded therein.Then, a worker on the field takes copies of the entry papers Di fordeparture (hereinafter referred to as entry papers Dia used fordeparture) into an office and sends the papers by fax to the clearanceoffice of the XX home delivery service in Japan.

The XX clearance office of the XX home delivery service in Japan has apersonal computer 10 (simply referred to as a PC 10 hereinafter) and aprinter 11 for entry papers. When the entry papers Dia used fordeparture from Hawaii are sent to Japan, a registered customs specialistin Japan operates the PC 10 and prepares entry papers Ei on the basis ofthe entry papers Dia used for departure.

When the package 1 a has arrived, an operator in Japan operates the PC10 and inputs predetermined information based on copies of theforeign-to-home air waybill Ai and the entry papers Ei for the package 1a (including consignee's name, address, telephone number and adestination office code etc.) into an input format for a domesticshipping label. Then, by using a printer 12, a domestic label Bia (alabel written in Japanese shown in FIG. 3) is printed. The resultantlabel is attached to the package 1 a. Provided a number on the label Bia(e.g., a destination office code) is a new domestic number.

The package 1 aa with the domestic label Bia being attached thereto iscarried to a branch office (a sending office) at a larger region in thecountry. Then, the package is carried from the sending office to asmaller region in the country (destination office) and then finally tothe consignee.

In recent years, services have been provided for delivering marineproducts and meats produced in A country to consignees in Japan asdirect shipping. In accordance with such services, for example, a largeamount of marine products and meats are imported from the A country(many times packed in units of tens of the products) and stored instorehouses. When a request is provided from a consignee, these foodsare packed again for the consignee. Then, a label with the consignee'saddress, name and telephone number being written therein is printed andattached to the package. Finally, the package is delivered.

In accordance with the above-described conventional system, as well asthe label Bi for departure on shipping, the entry papers Di fordeparture or shipping are provided for the package 1 in the overseasbusiness base of the XX home delivery service.

In Japan (entry side), the domestic label Bia is newly provided. Namely,every time when a package is sent to Japan, a new domestic label isprovided.

The entry papers are individually provided in Japan and a foreigncountry even if a company has the same system in Japan and the foreigncountry and the entry papers for Japan and the foreign country have thesame contents.

Namely, even if a company has the same system in Japan and a foreigncountry, (three in total) labels and entry papers are created in both ofthe foreign country and Japan. Thus, providing the entry papers takes agreat amount of labor and time. As a result, the problem of increasedcosts arises.

Further, an operator sends copies of the entry papers used for departureon shipping by fax to Japan after the package 1 a is loaded into anairplane. Thus, it takes much labor for the operator. Also the operatormay forget to send the papers by fax.

In such case, after the airplane arrives, the entry papers used fordeparture on shipping are sent. Subsequent to the domestic entry papersbeing prepared, the label Bia is attached to the package and the packageis delivered to a consignee. Thus, it takes a long time for the packageto be received by the consignee.

Even if the entry papers used for departure on shipping are sent by fax,the entry papers must be prepared manually. Accordingly, when a largenumber of copies of the entry papers used for departure are sent by fax,a registered customs specialist must carry out a large number ofoperations. Thus, even when the package 1 a arrives, the entry papersfor the package may not have been prepared. As a result, it takes a longtime for the package to be received by the consignee.

Especially, when a large number of packages have arrived, these packagesmust be stored in storehouses until entry papers and labels for earlierarrived packages are prepared. Thus, there arise problems in that anadditional cost is incurred for storing the packages in storehouses anda longer time is required for a package to be received by a consignee.

A consignee desires to receive a package as soon as possible.Nevertheless, even if a company has the same system in a foreign countryand Japan, labels must be created in both Japan and the foreign country.Further, entry papers are prepared from entry papers used for departuresent by fax. Thus, when a large number of packages arrive, it takes along time for a package to be received by a consignee.

In accordance with services for delivering marine products and meats ofA country to consignees in Japan by direct shipping, products must bere-packaged and stored in storehouses. Consequently, a cost is incurredfor storing the packages in storehouses and much labor is required forpackaging again, resulting in increased costs. Further, it takes a longtime for a package to be received by a consignee.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised in order to solve theaforementioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is toprovide an overseas delivery and transport system capable ofsignificantly shortening the time for a package to be delivered from aforeign country to a consignee in Japan. All examples relating toshipment of goods, by the present invention, are given as occurringbetween an English speaking country and Japan. However, the invention isapplicable to shipment of goods between any countries, regardless of thelanguage.

In accordance with the invention of claim 1, there is provided anoverseas delivery and transport system which is located at an airport ora harbor, connects an overseas main terminal at an overseas businessbase and a domestic main terminal at a domestic business base to aserver via a network, collects various types of data supplied from theoverseas main terminal or the domestic main terminal, and provides thedata to either of the main terminals.

The overseas main terminal or the domestic main terminal readsidentification information for identifying a consignee written in an airwaybill of a package, transfers predetermined information which iswritten in the domestic language or the overseas language and relates tothe identification information from the server, allocates thepredetermined information to label data used for transporting thepackage to the consignee, and prints the data as a label.

The server stores consignee information which corresponds to theidentification information and is written into a domestic language or anoverseas language, and provides the consignee information to either ofthe main terminals to which the identification information has beensent.

In accordance with the invention of claim 2, the overseas main terminalreads air waybill information of the package transported to the domesticcountry, sends the air waybill data to the server, and adds anidentification code of the air waybill to data of entry papers used fordeparture to the domestic country prepared on the basis of the airwaybill information, thereby sending the resultant data to the server.

The server associates the air waybill data from the overseas mainterminal with the data of entry papers used for departure to storeresultant data, and provides the air waybill data and the data of entrypapers when the identification code of the air waybill is sent from thedomestic main terminal.

In accordance with the invention of claim 3, when predeterminedinformation which relates to the identification information foridentifying a consignee and written in the domestic language is nottransferred from the server, the overseas main terminal prepares acommon label for the domestic business base to which address and name ofthe domestic business base are previously stored and written in thedomestic language, and sends the common label for the domestic businessbase to the server.

In accordance with the invention of claim 4, the air waybill data, thecommon label data and the data of the entry papers are sent to theserver when it is informed that the package has left the airport or theharbor.

In accordance with the invention of claim 5, the domestic main terminalincludes: means for sending the identification code of the air waybillto the server, and for providing the air waybill data, the common labeldata, the data of the common label for the domestic business base andthe data of entry papers used for departure relating to theidentification code of the air waybill; and means for obtaining data ofthe common label for the correct consignee corresponding to consignee'saddress, name and a destination office code based on the air waybillinformation and written in a domestic language are allocatedrespectively to predetermined blank spaces in the common label, and forprinting the resultant data for the data of common label for domesticbusiness base.

In accordance with the invention of claim 6, the data of the commonlabel for the correct consignee is sent to the server and newly storedtherein as client data.

In accordance with the invention of claim 7, the domestic main terminalfurther includes means for, when it is informed that an additional taxmust be paid by confirming the data of entry papers used for departure,allocating a sign indicating that an additional fee must be paid due tothe additional tax to either of the common label data, and for printingthe resultant data.

In accordance with the invention of claim 8, the server is a distributeddatabase system which represents information in a hypertext format, andlinks the respective data by using pointers as the air waybill numbers,and each of the main terminals and the server conduct communication byTCP/IP protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a conventional system of delivery fromoverseas.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an air waybill.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a conventional label.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of an overseas delivery andtransport system of this embodiment.

FIGS. 5( a) through 5(c) are views for explaining various types of datastored in a web server.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are views for explaining various types of datastored in the web server.

FIG. 7 is a sequence view for explaining the operation of the systemrelating to this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence view for explaining the operation of the systemrelating to this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a conversion software.

FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are views for explaining an overseas commonlabel.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of entry papers.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining the operation of a common labelpreparing processing.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining data of the entry papers stored in theweb server.

FIGS. 14( a) through 14(c) are views for explaining a common labelprepared in Japan.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a management system of deliveryand transport of packages from overseas locations, as relate to thepresent invention. In accordance with this system, an overseas deliverydriver collects a package 1 of an overseas consignor by a deliveryvehicle to a package collecting base (not shown). Then, the package iscarried from this package collecting base to an overseas business baseof an XX home delivery service by another express vehicle. In theoverseas business base, information of a copy Aip of a foreign-to-homeair waybill Ai is inputted by an operator, so that a label Bk which iscommon to both of a foreign country and Japan (Bk or Bkp: Bk indicates alabel when a hit is found and Bkp indicates a label when a hit is notfound) is issued and entry papers or documents Di for departure are alsoissued.

Data bk (or bkp) of the common label Bk, data aip of the foreign-to-homeair waybill Aip and data di of the entry papers Di for departure aresent to an internet Web server. An air waybill number ai (which is alsoreferred to as an identification code for the air waybill) is attachedto such data.

The clearance of the XX home delivery service in Japan accesses the Webserver to display the data bk of the common label Bk, the data aip ofthe foreign-to-home air waybill Aip and the data di of the entry papersDi for departure on a screen and confirms the contents thereof. (Iferrors are found, they are corrected.) Then, formal entry papers Dk areprovided.

Thus, the time for preparing a label and entry papers can besubstantially reduced, so that a package can be delivered to a consigneein a shorter time.

If an additional tax is required, a new common label Bka on whichpayment on delivery which indicates that a consignee must pay anadditional fee is printed is prepared and attached to a package 1 a. Thepackage with a common label being newly attached thereto is referred toas a package 1 aa hereinafter.

The above-described delivery vehicle, the package collecting base andthe express vehicle have a PDT (portable data terminal). When a packageis received, a barcode (an air waybill number; which is also referred toas a reference number) on the package is scanned by a PDT and sent tothe package collecting base. Workers at overseas and domestic airportshave a PDT. When a package is loaded into an airplane or when a packageis received at a domestic airport, a barcode on the package is scannedby a PDT and sent to an overseas business base and a domestic XXclearance center.

(Structure of Overseas Business Base)

As shown in FIG. 4, the overseas business base is provided with a PC 15(which is also referred to as an overseas main terminal), a labelprinter 3 and a printer 4 for entry papers. Such components areconnected with each other by a LAN. A barcode scanner 5 is connected tothe PC 15. Also connected to the PC 15 is an unillustrated communicationdevice (router or the like). The communication protocol used is TCP/IP(Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

When the package 1 arrives, an operator at the overseas business base ofthe XX home delivery service displays an input format for a label on ascreen and reads a barcode on the copy Aip of the foreign-to-home airwaybill Ai attached to the package 1, by the barcode scanner 5. On thescreen, a reference number (also referred to as an air waybill numberai) of the barcode is displayed on a predetermined blank space in theinput format for the label.

Then, the operator inputs, on the basis of the copy Aip of theforeign-to-home air waybill Ai, the receiver's (consignee's) address andtelephone number, consignor's address (in English or Roman character),name (in English or Roman character) and telephone number ab etc. (thatare generically referred to as air waybill data aip; or that are alsoreferred to as air waybill information in a case of a label).

In accordance with the input of the air waybill data aip, user data Mion the internet web server 18 relating to the telephone number ab (anexample of identification information for identifying a consignee) isread. Then, a destination office code, consignee's address and name etc.existing in the user data Mi (or hitting in the user data Mi) are readand allocated to predetermined blank spaces (a blank for an address, ablank for a name and a blank for destination office code) in a commonlabel on a screen determined. By using the printer 3, the common labelBk (when a hit is determined) is finally obtained. As used herein, theterm “hit” is used to indicate that the computer search found or “hit”the information as requested.

When hits are not found with respect to the destination office code, theconsignee's address and the consignee's name by using the telephonenumber ab in the air waybill information aip, in the PC 15, the addressof the clearance center of the XX home delivery service in Japan iswritten into the blank for an address in the input format for the commonlabel on a screen. The name of the clearance center of the XX homedelivery service in Japan is written in the blank for the name. In thisway, the common label Bkp (when a hit is not found) is prepared.

The PC 15 creates the entry papers Di used for departure at the overseasbusiness base provided by the printer 4. Thus, the entry papers can beprovided.

After it is confirmed that the package 1 a has been loaded into anairplane at an overseas airport, the barcode on the air waybill Ai ofthe package 1 a is scanned by a PDT, the air waybill number ai is sentand the PC 15 receives the number, the air waybill information aip, thecommon label data bk and the data di of entry papers are sent to theinternet web server 18 as data to be accepted.

(Structure of Web Server 18)

The web server 18 is a distributed database system in which informationis indicated in a hypertext format and enables information on aninternet to be systematically obtained.

The aforementioned hyper text has a structure in which pointers areembedded in a text and jumping from these pointers to relatedinformation is possible. The information is described in HTML. Bydesignating a point or a link for a server, successive jumping to newtexts is possible and thus necessary information can be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the web server 18 includes a user file, anair waybill file, a common label file (which hereinafter is referred toas a first common label file) with common label data, partially inJapanese, being stored therein, a common label file (which hereinafteris referred to as a second common label file) with common label data forthe clearance in Japan being stored therein and a file for entry papersused for departure from foreign countries.

The user file is formed of, as shown in FIG. 5( a), a telephone number,a zip code, an address (written in Japanese), a name (written inJapanese) and a destination office code.

The air waybill file is sent from the overseas business base. As shownin FIG. 5( b), the air waybill file is formed of air waybill information(including an air waybill number ai, a consignor's address (written inEnglish), a consignor's name (written in English), a consignor'stelephone number and a consignee's address (written in English or Romancharacter)).

The first common label file is common label data sent from the overseasbusiness base and as shown in FIG. 5( c), comprises an air waybillnumber, a destination store code, a consignee's address (written inJapanese), a consignee's name (written in Japanese), a consignee'stelephone number, a consignor's name (written in English) and aconsignor's address (written in English).

The second common label file is common label data sent from the overseasbusiness base to the Japanese clearance center. As shown in FIG. 6( a),the second common label file is formed of an air waybill number, adestination office code, a consignee's address (address of the clearanceof the XX home delivery service in Japan, written in Japanese), aconsignee's name (name of the clearance center of the XX home deliveryservice in Japan, written in Japanese), a consignee's telephone number,a consignor's name (written in English) and a consignor's address(written in English).

Further, the file for entry papers is sent from the overseas businessbase and comprises, as shown in FIG. 6( b), an air waybill number, aname (written in English), an address (written in English), a packagetype (written in English) and the number of packages. These files arelinked with each other by an air waybill number and a telephone number.Specifically, a telephone number master or a zip code master is used forthe user information file. Such file data may be generically referred toas data to be accepted.

(Structure of Clearance in Japanese XX Home Delivery Service)

The XX clearance center in the Japanese XX home delivery serviceincludes, as shown in FIG. 4, a PC 20 (which is also referred to as adomestic main terminal), a printer 11 for entry papers and a commonlabel printer 12. An unillustrated communication device (router or thelike) is connected to the PC 20. A communication protocol is TCP/IP(Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

In accordance with an instruction from an operator, the PC 20 accessesthe Web server 18 to display the air waybill number ai serving as thedata to be accepted on its screen. Further, the data aip of the airwaybill Ai, the data bk of the common label Bk, the data bkp of thecommon label Bkp and the data di of the entry papers Di used fordeparture relating to the selected air waybill number ai are alsodisplayed on the screen.

The PC also includes character conversion software. In accordance withthe character conversion software, when character conversion isinstructed for a consignee's address (written in English/Romancharacter) and a consignee's name (written in English/Roman character)included in the data di of entry papers used for departure, aconsignee's telephone number is inputted and then a consignee's address(written in Japanese) and a consignee's name (written in Japanese) canbe hit in a telephone number master file or a zip code master file andare converted into a determined name and address written in Romancharacter. By the character conversion being performed, the data dk ofthe entry papers Dk can be obtained without error.

In the case of the data bkp of the common label Bkp (i.e., the dataobtained when a hit is not found), an operator of the clearance centerin the XX home delivery service manually inputs the correct consignee'saddress and name, and a destination office code on the basis of the dataaip of the air waybill Aip from an overseas consignor displayed on ascreen and the air waybill Aip. In this way, the common label data bka(i.e., data of a label prepared in Japan) is obtained.

When an additional tax is inputted, the PC 20 adds payment on deliveryindicating an additional tax to the data bk of the common label Bk orthe data bka of the common label Bka, so that the common label data bkawith payment on delivery being added thereto is prepared. The data bkobtained when a hit is found becomes data bka1 when a payment ondelivery is allocated, and the data bkp obtained when a hit is not foundbecomes data bka2 when a payment on delivery is allocated.

The data of these common labels is preferably outputted to and printedby the printers 11 and 12 when a package has arrived in Japan and aworker at an airport scans, by a PDT, a sheet with a barcode of aplurality of air waybills Ai to receive barcode data. Namely, when thepackage 1 a has arrived, the common label or the common label Bka isobtained and attached to the package 1 a.

When it has been informed that the package 1 a has arrived, the PC 20sends the aforementioned common label data (bk, bkp, bka), the entrypapers, the entry papers used for departure and the air waybillinformation Ai to a center server 19 as accepted data and stores thesame therein. Further, the PC 20 informs the Web server 18 of an airwaybill number that has been accepted.

The system of delivery and transport from overseas with theabove-described structure will be described hereinafter with referenceto sequence views shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, a driver who received a package 1 from a consigneeoperates a PDT to read a barcode. Then, the PDT is connected to asending device (not shown) provided in a delivery vehicle. The barcodedata (including at least an air waybill number) and data P1 (which isalso referred to as point information) indicating that the package 1 hasbeen loaded into the delivery vehicle are sent to a package collectingbase (S1). When the package collecting base receives such data, the datais sent to the overseas business base. The overseas business base sendssuch data via the internet to the web server 18. Namely, the driver, thepackage collecting base and the overseas business base perform mirroringoperation, i.e., the data is sent in parallel so as to ensure thesafety, and proper transmission of the data.

When the delivery vehicle arrives at the package collecting base, anoperator at the package collecting base reads the barcode on the package1 by a PDT (not shown) at the package collecting base. Then, the PDT isconnected to a sending device (not shown) at the package collectingbase. The barcode data (including at least an air waybill number) anddata P2 indicating that the package 1 has arrived at the packagecollecting base are sent to the package collecting base (in a wire orwireless manner) (S2). Further, when the package 1 is loaded ontoanother express vehicle at the package collecting base, a driver of theexpress vehicle operates a PDT to send the barcode data and dataindicating that the package has been loaded into the express vehicle forthe overseas business base (not shown).

When the express wagon arrives at the overseas business base, anoperator at the overseas business base operates a PDT to send thebarcode data and data P3 indicating that the package has arrived at theoverseas business base to the internet web server 18 by using a sendingdevice at the overseas business base (S3).

When the package 1 arrives at the overseas business base, an operator atthe overseas business base reads a barcode on the copy Aip of theforeign-to-home air waybill Ai attached to the package 1, by the barcodescanner 5. Then, the operator operates a keyboard to input manually aclient's (consignor's) address, a client's name, a passport number, aconsignee's address, a consignee's name and a consignee's telephonenumber.

The air waybill data aip consisting of these items is stored in a harddisk in the PC 15 and sent to the internet web server 18 (S4).

In accordance with a consignee's telephone number being inputted, acommon label preparing processing 22 is activated. In accordance withthe common label preparing processing 22, the telephone number ab issent by accessing the internet web server (S5), an address and a namewritten in Japanese linking with the telephone number ab are detected(S6) and the detected items are allocated respectively to a blank forthe consignee's address, a blank for the consignee's name and a blankfor the destination office code in the common label Ai displayed on ascreen (when a hit is found).

As shown in FIG. 9, a telephone master file serving as a user file inthe web server 18 (or a zip code master file) is searched. Then, the hitconsignee's address (written in Japanese), consignee's name (written inJapanese) and destination office code are read and allocated. By usingthe printer 3, the common label Bk as shown in FIG. 7( a) is obtained.

When hits are not found in the web server 18 (S7), an address of theclearance center in the XX home delivery service company (written inJapanese) and its name (written in Japanese) that are stored in advancein a hard disk are allocated respectively to a blank for consignee'saddress and a blank for consignee's name. Then, by using the printer 3,the common label shown in FIG. 10( b) can be obtained. When the address(written in Japanese) and the name (written in Japanese) of theclearance center of the XX home delivery service company are written, itindicates that maintenance for determining a consignee is required atthe clearance center in Japan.

At the PC 15 at the overseas business base, a screen for preparing entrypapers used for departure is opened and a predetermined data (includinga flight number, a date, a product type, the number of packages, a tax,a consignor's address, a consignor's name, a consignee's address, etc.)is manually inputted on the basis of the contents written in the airwaybill Aip to prepare the data di in English of the entry papers Diused for departure (S8). At this time, a barcode on the air waybill Aipis read by a scanner and the air waybill number ai is added to the dataof the entry papers Di. Namely, the air waybill number ai is alsoprinted on the entry papers Di used for departure printed by the printer4 as shown in FIG. 11. The data di of the entry papers Di used fordeparture is stored in a hard disk.

When a label attached to the package 1 a is printed and outputted fromthe system, an outputted date is stored in a hard disk. The pointinformation (indicating that a package has been loaded into an airplane)is created based on this information (S9).

The PC 15 at the overseas business base which has received thisinformation sends the air waybill data aip, the data di of entry papersused for departure and the common label data bk (or bkp) to the internetweb server 18 (S10). The protocol used in this case is an InternetProtocol. An air waybill number is added to all data sent (aip, di, bkand bkp).

The above-described common label preparation processing 22 will bedescribed with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 12.

In accordance with the common label preparing processing 22, a group ofair waybill numbers stored in a hard disk are displayed on a screen andthe air waybill data aip relating to the top air waybill number isdisplayed (S30).

Next, a format screen for preparing a common label is opened. Then,among the displayed air waybill data aip, required data (consignee'saddress, name and telephone number written in English) is allocated topredetermined blanks in the input format for preparing a common label.Namely, a common label is partially prepared (in English) (S31).

Then, a telephone number ab of a consignee in an air waybill is inputted(S32). In accordance with the telephone number ab being inputted, thecommon label preparation processing 22 activates communication softwareand accesses the web server 18 to transfer the user data relating to thetelephone number ab (S33). When the web server 18 has a telephone numbermaster file, the consignee's name and address (written in Japanese) anda destination office code relating to the telephone number ab aretransferred.

The common label preparation processing 22 determines whether the userdata is transferred (S34). If it is determined that the user data istransferred, the user data relating to the telephone number ab istemporarily stored in a hard disk (S35).

Next, an item for determination is set (S36). For example, a consignee'saddress may be set as an item for determination.

It is determined whether the information about the item fordetermination exists in the transferred user data (i.e., it isdetermined whether hits are found) (S37).

If it is determined in step S37 that hits are found in the informationof the item for determination, hit information (e.g., a consignee'saddress, a consignee's name or a destination office code) is pasted ontothe respective blanks in a format for preparing the common label anddisplayed (S38).

Next, it is determined wither another item for destination exists (stepS39). If it is determined that another item for destination exists, anitem for destination is updated (S40) and the process returns to stepS36. For example, a consignee's name (written in Japanese) may be set asthe next item for destination.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that hits are notfound in the information of the item for determination, an address, atelephone number and a name of the XX home delivery service company inJapan that are previously stored are read. These items are allocated toa blank for an address and a blank for a name in the format for thecommon label, respectively (S41).

If it is determined in step S39 that another item for destination doesnot exist (i.e., when the data bk of the common label format is producedon the basis of the hit information or when the data bkp of the inputformat for the common label is produced by inputting the Japanese XXhome delivery service company's address, name and telephone number),common label data with a part of the items being written in Japanese isstored in a hard disk (S42). Then, printing is performed by the printer3 (S43). At this time, an air waybill number and a barcode are alsoprinted.

Namely, when hits are found, the common label Bk can be created. Whenhits are not found, the common label Bkp can also be created. Either ofthe labels is attached to the package 1.

When hits are found, a new label does not need to be prepared in theJapanese clearance center. Consequently, operational efficiency can beimproved and the time required for a package to be received by aconsignee can be reduced.

An operator of the clearance center of the XX home delivery service inJapan operates the PC 20 to access the internet web server 18 (to log inthe internet web server 18 by inputting an ID code and a password).Then, the air waybill number ai to be accepted is displayed on a screen.The air waybill data aip, the data di for entry papers and the commonlabel data bi (bk or bkp) relating to this air waybill number ai aretransferred (SI 1) and then the data dk of the entry papers is produced(S12) as follows.

A format screen for entry papers is opened and character conversionsoftware is activated. When an address (written in Roman character)written in a blank for an address in the data di of the entry papers onthe screen is designated to be converted, the character conversionsoftware recognizes each character string and then converts into Romancharacter stored in advance in correspondence with the recognizedcharacter string. The resultant data is stored in a hard disk as thedata dk of the entry papers. A file for entry papers is structured asshown in FIG. 13.

For example, when the address reads “TOUKYOU”, such character string isconverted into “TOKYO”. If it is determined by an operator thatconversion needs not to be performed, a conversion processing is notperformed.

When the operator determines that an additional tax is required from thedata di of the entry papers, data of this additional tax is written intothe data dk of the entry papers.

Since the entry papers are sent to the internet web server and storedtherein, an operator (or a registered customs specialist) of theclearance center of the XX home delivery service in Japan confirms theentry papers used for departure on the internet web server 18 and thencan easily prepare the entry papers.

The operator determines whether a consignee in a common label displayedon the screen of the PC 20 is the clearance center of the XX homedelivery service company in Japan (S13). If the determination in stepS13 is “yes”, the common label preparing processing (not shown) isactivated.

If the determination in step S13 is “yes”, the operator displays aninput format for the common label on a screen and manually inputs thecorrect address, name, and telephone number of consignee and adestination office code on the basis of the air waybill data aip and thedata for entry papers to produce the correct common label data bka2.This data is printed by the printer 12 (S14).

Further, the operator determines whether an additional tax exists (S15).If an additional tax exists, common label data obtained by printing thepayment on delivery on the common label data bk, bka 1 is produced andthen printed (S16). Namely, as shown in FIG. 14( a), when the address ofthe clearance center is written, a common label with the correct addressand destination office code being added thereto can be obtained as shownin FIG. 14( b). When an additional tax exists, a common label withpayment on delivery being printed thereon can be obtained as shown inFIG. 14( c). Here, FIG. 14( c) shows a common label when a hit is found.

Then, when an airplane and freight thereon also arrives, a MASTER-AWB(unit of mixed loading) number and a HOUSE-AWB (unit of freight) numberare manually inputted to the system.

Next, the web server is informed that the data for the entry papers, theair waybill data and the common label data are accepted data. This isperformed by adding a code indicating that data to be accepted isaccepted data to the air waybill number (S17). The entry papers data,the air waybill data and the common label data are sent to the center asaccepted data (S18).

When a consignee of a common label is the Japanese clearance center andthe correct consignee's address, name, telephone number and adestination office code have been inputted, such data is added as newclient data to the user file on the Web server (S19).

Accordingly, in the overseas business base, three overseas labels arenot prepared as in conventional cases, instead, one common label asshown in FIG. 14( c) is prepared. Further, entry papers used fordeparture are prepared and sent to the internet Web server. Theclearance center at the entry side accesses the internet Web server andmakes the common label and the entry papers used for departure transfer.Thus, when packages are sent from foreign countries, the entry papersare prepared in the Japanese clearance center only in special cases (incases that the address is the clearance center's address, an additionaltax exists and character conversion is required). As a result, the timerequired for a Japanese consignee to receive a package can be reducedand costs can also be reduced. Since only one label suffices, labor andcost for preparing labels can be reduced.

In accordance with the above-described embodiment, a common label isprepared when packages are delivered from foreign countries to Japan.When user files for overseas consignees (an address, a name and adestination office code are written in English) are prepared, commonlabels for overseas consignees may be prepared when packages are sentfrom Japan to foreign countries.

Although delivery by airplanes has been described in the above-describedembodiment, when shipping, common labels for shipping packages may alsobe provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, in accordance with the invention of claim 1, anoverseas main terminal and a domestic main terminal are connected via anetwork to a server. The overseas main terminal reads identificationinformation (telephone number or the like) for identifying a consigneewritten in an air waybill of a package and sends the same to the server.The server provides predetermined information (including an address, aname and a destination office code written in a domestic language) thatrelates to the identification information and is stored in advance. Thepredetermined information is allocated to data of a label for deliveringto the consignee. The resultant data is printed as a common label.

Namely, as a common label for a consignee written in a domestic languageis prepared in an overseas business base of XX company, a new domesticlabel dose not need to be prepared in the clearance center in the XXcompany. Thus, the time required for a package to be received by aconsignee can be reduced and costs can also be reduced because a labeldose not need to be prepared in Japan.

In accordance with the invention of claim 1, the overseas main terminaland the domestic main terminal are connected to the server via anetwork. The domestic main terminal reads the identification information(telephone number or the like) for identifying a consignee written in anair waybill of a package and sends the same to the server. The serverprovides predetermined information from overseas (including an address,a name and a destination office code written in a language of a countryto be entered) relating to the identification information. Then, thepredetermined information is allocated to the data for a label fortransporting to the consignee and resultant data is printed as a commonlabel.

As a common label for a consignee written in a foreign language isprepared in a domestic business base in XX company, a label for aconsignee in a domestic country does not need to be newly prepared inthe overseas business base (the clearance center) in XX company. Thus,the time for a package to be received by the consignee in a domesticcountry can be reduced and costs can also be reduced.

Conventionally, three types of labels (a label with MASTER AMB No. beingwritten therein, a label with a HOUSE AMB No. being written therein anda label with consignee information in Japanese being written therein)are required as a label attached to a package from overseas. Inaccordance with the present invention, however, three labels areintegrated as one label. As a result, a reduction in costs and animprovement in operational efficiency can be accomplished.

In accordance with the invention of claim 2, the overseas main terminalsends data of entry papers used for departure (written in English) towhich an identification code of the air waybill information of a packageis added to the server and is stored therein. When the identificationcode of the air waybill is sent from the domestic main terminal, the airwaybill data and the data of entry papers are provided to the domesticmain terminal. Thus, in a domestic country, the air waybill data and thedata of entry papers are confirmed and if corrections are not required,the entry papers used for departure may be used as entry papers.

Thus, as a domestic label and entry papers need not be prepared in adomestic country, the time required for a package to be received by aconsignee can be reduced and costs can also be reduced.

In accordance with the invention of claim 3, when predeterminedinformation which relates to the identification information foridentifying a consignee is written in a domestic language and is notsent from the server, a common label for the domestic business base ofthat address and name of the domestic business base stored in advanceand written in a domestic language are allocated to the label data isprovided. Then, the data of the common label for the domestic businessbase is sent to the server.

Thus, even if a consignee's address, a consignee's name and adestination office code written in the language of a consignee's countryare not known in the overseas business base because the consignee is anew consignee, a package is delivered to the consignee's country. Then,in the country, a common label including the correct consignee'saddress, name and a destination office code written in the language ofthe consignee's country can be prepared.

In accordance with the invention of claim 4, the air waybill data, thecommon label data and the data of entry papers are sent to the serverwhen it is informed that packages have left an airport or a harbor.Thus, in accordance with the effects of the present invention, packagescan be received in accordance with Immigration Laws by the exchange ofelectronic data.

In accordance with the invention of claim 5, for the data of the commonlabel for a domestic business base, the domestic main terminal preparesa common label in which a consignee's address, a consignee's name and adestination office code are written on the basis of the air waybillinformation. Thus, a package can be delivered to a correct consignee.

In accordance with the invention of claim 6, even in the case of a newconsignee, the data of the common label for the correct consignee issent to the server and added as new client data. Thus, for the next timeof shipping, the time required for the consignee to receive a packagecan be reduced and costs can also be reduced.

In accordance with the invention of claim 7, when an additional tax isdetermined by confirming the data of entry papers used for departure,the domestic main terminal allocates a sign indicating that anadditional fee must be paid because of the additional tax added to thecommon label data and prints the data. Thus, an additional fee can bereliably paid from a consignee without issuing a new slip.

In accordance with the invention of claim 8, the server is a distributeddatabase system in which information is represented in a hypertextformat. The respective data are linked by using pointers as air waybillnumbers. The respective main terminals and the server conductcommunications by the TCP/IP protocol.

Thus, if desired, an air waybill, entry papers, a common label andclient information can be easily obtained at overseas and domesticbusiness bases in the same manner as sending and receiving e-mail.

1. An overseas delivery and transport system located at an airport or aharbor, comprising: a server; an overseas main terminal connected to theserver via a network at an overseas business base of a home deliveryservice; and a domestic main terminal connected to the server via thenetwork at a domestic business base of the home delivery service,wherein the overseas main terminal comprises: means for readingconsignee identification information written on an air waybill of apackage to identify a consignee for sending the consignee identificationinformation to the server, and for receiving predetermined informationwritten in a domestic language related to the consignee identificationinformation from the server, means for reading air waybill data writtenon the air waybill, and for sending the air waybill data to the server,means for sending data of entry papers used for departure of the packageto the server, the data of the entry papers prepared based on the airwaybill data and including an identification code written on the airwaybill, and means for preparing common label data to transport thepackage to the consignee by allocating the predetermined informationreceived from the server and the identification code written on the airwaybill, and for printing the common label data as a common label forthe overseas business base; the domestic main terminal comprises: meansfor reading the identification code written on the air waybill of thepackage, for sending the identification code to the server, and forreceiving the data of the entry papers used for departure of the packageand the common label data from the server, means for allocating a signthat an additional fee must be paid to the common label data when anadditional tax is charged by confirming the data of the entry papersused for departure of the package, and for printing the common labeldata as a common label for the domestic business base, and means forpreparing and printing data of the entry papers of the package by addingthe additional tax to the data of the entry papers used for departure ofthe package; and the server comprises: means for storing the air waybilldata, the data of the entry papers used for departure, and the commonlabel data sent from the overseas main terminal by association with theidentification code of the air waybill, means for sending the storedpredetermined information including an address of the consignee and adestination office code of the package to the overseas main terminal byreceiving the consignee identification information, and means forsending the air waybill data, the data of the entry papers used fordeparture, and the common label data to the domestic main terminal uponreceipt of the identification code of the air waybill.
 2. The overseasdelivery and transport system according to claim 1, wherein when nopredetermined information written in the domestic language related tothe consignee identification information for identifying the consigneeis transferred from the server, the overseas main terminal provides andprints common label data for the domestic business base by allocating anaddress and name of the domestic business base written in the domesticlanguage and stored in advance, and sends the common label data for thedomestic business base to the server.
 3. The overseas delivery andtransport system according to claim 2, wherein the overseas mainterminal searches the air waybill data, the common label data, and thedata of entry papers used for departure relating to the identificationcode, and sends the resultant data to the server when the overseas mainterminal is informed that the package has left the airport or the harborin a foreign country and the identification code of the air waybill isinputted to the overseas main terminal.
 4. The overseas delivery andtransport system according to claim 3, the domestic main terminalfurther comprising: means for sending the identification code of the airwaybill to the server, and for providing the air waybill data, thecommon label data, the common label data for the domestic business base,and the data of the entry papers used for departure relating to theidentification code of the air waybill when the domestic main terminalis informed that the package has arrived at the airport or the harbor ina home country; and means for obtaining the common label data for acorrect consignee including the consignee's address, name, and thedestination office code based on the air waybill data and written in thedomestic language that are allocated to predetermined blanks in thecommon label respectively, and for printing the resultant data when thecommon label is for the domestic business base.
 5. The overseas deliveryand transport system according to claim 4, wherein the common label datafor the correct consignee is sent to the server and newly stored thereinas client data.
 6. A method of sending a package overseas, comprising:reading consignee identification information written on an air waybillof the package to identify a consignee and sending the consigneeidentification information to a server; receiving predeterminedinformation written in a domestic language related to the consigneeidentification information from the server; reading air waybill datawritten on the air waybill and sending the air waybill data to theserver; sending data of entry papers used for departure of the packageto the server, the data of the entry papers prepared based on the airwaybill data and including an identification code written on the airwaybill; preparing common label data to transport the package to theconsignee by allocating the predetermined information received from theserver and the identification code written on the air waybill, andprinting the common label data as a common label for the overseasbusiness base; reading the identification code written on the airwaybill of the package, sending the identification code to the server,and receiving the data of the entry papers used for departure of thepackage and the common label data from the server; allocating a signthat an additional fee must be paid to the common label data when anadditional tax is charged by confirming the data of the entry papersused for departure of the package, and printing the common label data asa common label for the domestic business base; preparing and printingdata of the entry papers of the package by adding the additional tax tothe data of the entry papers used for departure of the package; storingthe air waybill data, the data of the entry papers used for departure,and the common label data sent from the overseas main terminal byassociation with the identification code of the air waybill; sending thestored predetermined information including an address of the consigneeand a destination office code of the package to the overseas mainterminal by receiving the consignee identification information; andsending the air waybill data, the data of the entry papers used fordeparture, and the common label data to the domestic main terminal uponreceipt of the identification code of the air waybill.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein when no predetermined information writtenin the domestic language related to the consignee identificationinformation for identifying the consignee is transferred from theserver, the overseas main terminal provides and prints common label datafor the domestic business base by allocating an address and name of thedomestic business base written in the domestic language and stored inadvance, and sends the common label data for the domestic business baseto the server.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the overseasmain terminal searches the air waybill data, the common label data, andthe data of entry papers used for departure relating to theidentification code, and sends the resultant data to the server when theoverseas main terminal is informed that the package has left an airportor a harbor in a foreign country and the identification code of the airwaybill is inputted to the overseas main terminal.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising: sending the identificationcode of the air waybill to the server, and providing the air waybilldata, the common label data, the common label data for the domesticbusiness base, and the data of the entry papers used for departurerelating to the identification code of the air waybill when the domesticmain terminal is informed that the package has arrived at the airport orthe harbor in a home country; and obtaining the common label data for acorrect consignee including the consignee's address, name, and thedestination office code based on the air waybill data written in thedomestic language that are allocated to predetermined blanks in thecommon label respectively, and printing the resultant data when thecommon label is for the domestic business base.
 10. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the common label data for the correct consignee issent to the server and newly stored therein as client data.
 11. Adelivery and transport system, comprising: a server includingpredetermined information related to a consignee; and a main terminalconnected to the server via a network at a main business base, the mainterminal comprising: an input unit configured to receive air waybilldata including consignee identification information written on an airwaybill of a package to be shipped internationally, and configured tosend the air waybill data to the server, a reading unit configured toread the consignee identification information to identify a consigneefor sending the consignee identification information to the server, andconfigured to receive the predetermined information written in adomestic language related to the consignee identification informationfrom the server, a first preparation unit configured to prepare entrypapers used for departure of the package based on the air waybill dataand to send data of the entry papers to the server, the data of theentry papers is prepared based on the air waybill data and includes anidentification code written on the air waybill, a tax unit configured todetermine if an additional tax is required at a destination of thepackage and to indicate that the additional tax is required, a secondpreparation unit configured to prepare common label data to transportthe package to the consignee by allocating the predetermined informationreceived from the server and the identification code written on the airwaybill, and configured to print the common label data as a commonlabel, including the indication that the additional tax is required; andthe server comprises: a storing unit configured to store the air waybilldata, the data of the entry papers used for departure, and the commonlabel data received from the main terminal by association with theidentification code of the air waybill, and a sending unit configured tosend the predetermined information including an address of the consigneeand a destination office code of the package to the main terminal uponreceipt of the consignee identification information, and configured tosend the air waybill data, the data of the entry papers used fordeparture, and the common label data to an international terminal uponreceipt of the identification code of the air waybill, wherein at theinternational terminal, the identification code written on the airwaybill of the package is read and sent to the server, and in response,the server sends the data of the entry papers used for departure of thepackage and the common label data to the international terminal, andbased on the data of the entry papers and the common label data receivedfrom the servers, entry papers including any additional tax and a commonlabel for an international business base can be printed.